Internal combustion motor system



Patented Oct. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENTl OFFICE Charles T. Jacobs, New Providence Township, Union County, N. J..

Application April 2,

' zo claims.

. This invention relates to internal combustion l motor systems, and more particularly to the control of combustible mixture ini-low in such systems, with special reference to mixture inflow occurring during motor gie-celeration. While not limited thereto, the invention may have a special utility in connection with the motor systems of automobiles or other vehicles, wherein motor deceleration is opposed by the momentum not only of the motor but also from time to time of the thereto connected vehicle. In these latter cases motor de-celeration is frequently relied on for a braking effect upon the vehicle;

It is an object of my invention to provide methods and automatically operative means for aiding the de-celeration of internal combustion motors.y

It is another object to provide methods and automatically Voperative means for reducing fuel consumption by such motors during de-celeration.

`It is a further object to provide automatically operative means for reducing the combustible mixture inow to an abnormally low or negligible value during de-celeration and for restoring it to a normal minimum in time to prevent motor stalling.

It is a still further object to provide improved mixture inilow control means for such motor systems; andit is an allied object to provide improved mixture intake arrangements for such systems. l

Other and allied objects will more fully appear from the following description and the appended claims.

In the description reference is had to the accompanying drawing, of which:

Figure 1 is in general a top view of a portion of the intake system of an internal combustion motor,` looking downwardly from a plane intersecting the carburetor connection; Figure 21s a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, certain portions of Figure 2 appearing however in elevation, Figure 2 illustrating one set of positions of various components of my invention;`

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but illustrating a second set of positions of the same components, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of- Figure 2.

The Vmost pertinent portions of an internal combustion motor (for example an automobile or other vehicle motor) in connection with which my invention has been illustrated may rst be briefly described, with reference to Figures 1 and 1935, Serial No.' 14,286

2. The numeral I designates the intake manlfold of the motor and 2 a cylindrical extension thereof connecting with the carburetor (not shown), it being` understood that the main path of combustible mixture from the carburetor to 5 the intake manifold (from which the fuel passes into the motor cylinders) is the space 2 withinl the manifold extension 2. Transversely of the extension 2, as in bosses 2" formed therein, is journalled the butterily valve 4 with shaft 5, the 10 function of the valve 4 being of course the regulation of mixture flow through the main path. The valve shaft 5 is rotated to effect this regulation by a crank 6', clamped to the shaft 5 as by screw I0 in crank bifurcation 6", the extremity 15 0I crank 6 being connected with the rod I responsive to theaccelerator and throttle motor controls (not shown). The rod 1 may itself be considered the speed control member for manipulation by the operator of the motor; as illus- 20 trated, this member is pivotally connected with the crank 6' and therethrough with the valve, so that the connection is a substantially unyielding one. The valve 4 is biased to a closed position as by a tension spring 8, connected be- 25 tween the extremity of the crank 6' and some fixed point P and biasing the crank to clockwise rotation as illustrated in Figure 2, so that in thel absence of appropriate manipulation of the accelerator and throttle controls the valve 4 tends 30 to close. 'I here may also be provided a small, adjustable auxiliary path for combustible mixture, leading from the carburetor into the intake manifold on the motor side' of the valve and thus by-passing the latter. Such an auxil- 35 iary path has been illustrated in the drawing as comprising the horizontal, inwardly tapered hole 33 leading into the space 2' just below the valve 4, the vertical hole 23 leading from th'e carburetor to the hole 33 within the rib 2" comprised in ex- 40 tension 2, and the adjusting screw 24 passing inwardly into hole 33 and having a tapered end forming an adjustable passage with the taper of that hole.

When the motor is to idle (the accelerator and throttle controls being accordingly released) the` auxiliary pathmay'be relied on to supply a signicant or even the principal portion of the mixture inilow, and the valve 4 permitted almost fully to close. For precisely regulating the normal minimum opening oi' the valve 4, the clockwise rotation of crank 6' is limited in any convenient manneras by an adjustable screw I9, in a crank 6 integral with crank 6', impinging on a stop member such as I6 hereinafter de- 55 scribed. The auxiliary path is sometimes arranged to pass combustible mixture of greater richness than the main path, so that as the valve 4 approaches its minimum opening in normal operation not only is the total combustible mixture inflow reduced but also the mixture is increased in richness.

It will be understood that combustible mixture is drawn from the carburetor through the main and auxiliary paths into the intake manifold and thence into the motor by the suction produced by the motor in the intake manifold. This intake suction varies jointly with motor speed and motor load-it varies, in a qualitative sense, in accordance with that speed and inversely in accordance with that load. The irst of these two variations is .quite obvious; the second may be appreciated by considering that, at any given speed',P the greater the load the greater must be the mixture inflow into the intake manifold, and the greater this iiow the less will be the intake suction. Low loads may of course comprise negative loads, as occur when the momentum of the motor or. of the motor plus a vehicle connected therewith is temporarily providing a driving force for the motor. In alternative and more direct terms, the intake suction varies in accordance with motor speed and in inverse accordance with iiuid inows into. the intake manifold-e. g., the combustible mixture inflow through auxiliary and main paths, the latter of which is regulable by the valve 4. Generally speaking, the variation with iiuid inflow (or with load) is the wider, or more steep. Thus, the mixture inflow being low as a result of establishment of a minimum or near-minimum opening of valve 4, a moderately high intake suction is produced even at low motor speeds; but at such low mixture iniiow and higher motor speeds e. g., substantial motor speeds the intake suction reaches still higher values.

In accordance with my invention I provide means automatically operative only under the joint conditions of substantial motor speed and low combustion mixture inflow (or substantial motor speed and very low motor load)v for reducing or substantially eliminating the minimum combustible mixture iniiow otherwise occurring. These joint conditions will be recognized as those obtaining immediately upon release of accelerator and throttle controls at substantial motor speeds-a release conventionally effected for the purpose of an intended de-celeration of the motor; the action of my invention both aids this de-celeration and reduces or eliminates an ordinarily occurring waste ofY fuel. When the motor suctions obtaining with low motor speeds and low combustible mixture iniiows, while operative at the 4still higher suctions obtaining with substantial motor speeds and low mixture inflows. One element of my automatic means'may therefore be a member movably responsive in the manner outlined; and without intending any limitation of form and arrangement of such a -above and below the washers.

member, I have illustrated it as a plunger I2 secured to a diaphragm I3 so responsive in llmited movement.

Thus an -aperture I" may be provided in the top of the intake manifold, for example adjacent the extension 2, and over this aperture there may be secured to the manifold an inverted cup-member II, leather or other diaphragm I3 being clamped between cup-member and manifold. The cup-member is provided with a central, outwardlyor upwardly-extending boss I I', and in this boss is slidably arranged the plunger I2. The threaded lower end portion of the plunger may be passed through the diaphragm I3 and secured thereto as by clamping washers I4 above and below the diaphragm and nuts I5 Upward or outward movement of the plunger is limited by impingement of the upper nut I5 against the inner surface of cup-member I I, while downward or inward movement of the plunger is limited as by impingement of a shoulder I2 in the plunger against the top of boss II'. In orderto avoid the formation of an air pocket in the space between cup-member II and the diaphragm I3, the cup-member may be provided with one or more apertures II" placing this space in communication with the atmosphere. Above the shoulder I2 there may be secured to the plunger I2, as by screw 4I, a collar 40, and between this collar and the top or outer surface of cup-member II an expansion spring I1 may surround the plunger I2 and boss II. This spring biases the plunger to upward movement, and its normal position is the upward one illustrated in Figure 2. This position obtains for low intake suctions (including all obtaining with higher mixture iniiows) up to and including that moderately high suction obtaining with low motor speeds and low mixture iniiows. The expanding force of spring I1 is so adjusted, however, (as by choice of position of collar 40 longitudinally of the plunger I2) that it is overpowered at still higher intake suctions, at which the diaphragm and plunger will accordingly be attracted inwardly to the position illustrated ln Figure 3.

In response to inward movement of the plunger I2 there is cut oil. 4the mixture inow normally .occurring throughthe auxiliary path above mentioned.r I'have illustrated this cut-oi action as eiiectedby an auxiliary valve associated with the vertical hole 23. By way of example, this valve is formed by a valve rod 21 operating in a horizontal hole 25 which intercepts the smaller hole 23, dividing the latter into lower and upper portions 23' and 23 respectively. 'I'he rod 21 is normally kept from intercepting the hole 23 by an expansion spring 25 between the inner rod end and the base of the `hole 25, which biases the rod outwardly. At the outer end of the rod 21 may be provided an adjustable screw 28 (locked by nut 28') which, when plunger I2 is in its normal upward position (as in Figure 2) impinges against the lower and most indented portion of a cut-out cam surface I2 in the plunger, then just permitting the rod 21 to clear the hole 23. As the plunger I2 is lowered, however, in responseto high intake suction, the cam surface I2" forces the rod 21 inwardly to interceptthe hole 23 and thus to intercept the auxiliary mixture path, as illustrated in Figure 3.

Raising of the plunger I2 in response to reducing intake suction will of course cause spring 25 to restore the valve rod 21 to its Figure 2 position, re-opening the auxiliary mixture path.

. inflow is reduced to an abnormally low value.

This mixture inflow reduction, unless sufficiently compensated for in some inherent or specially provided manner, may sumciently increase the intake suction to cause the system to block i. e., to maintain the mixture inow abnormally low (by inward plunger position) until after the reducing motor speed has reached normal idling value, so that stalling would occur. I h'ave therefore illustrated a path for admission of noncombustible fluid-e. g., an air-admission, or suction-leakage, patharranged to open automatically as the combustible mixture path is intercepted. While such an arrangement may obviouslybe provided in anyof avariety of waysJ have illustrated by way of non-limitative example an arrangement whereby the valve opens such a path as it intercepts the auxiliary mixture path, and vice versa. Thus I may provide in the bottom of valve rod 21 a key-way-like slot 21' extending outwardly from very near the inner rod extremity, a similar slot 21 in the top of the rod extending inwardly from the outer rod extremity, and vertical hole 21' joining the slots. As the valve rod 21 is moved inwardly, the slots place the hole portion 23 (and therethrough the hole 33) in communication with the atmosphere, this ,communication preferably beginning before the hole 23-is fully intercepted (discharge of combustible mixture from the upper hole portion 23" through slot 21" inthe short interim during which theymay mutually communicate being obviated by the suction of lower hole portion 23'). A key to maintain the slot 21" upwardly may be provided by a screw 31 having smooth cylindrical end 31' substantially fitting slot 21", and adjustably retained in the rib 2"'.

It is desirable that the relationship of total fluid admission rate (i. e., total uid inflow) to intake suction be substantially equalized for thev different positions of plunger I2 and Avalve rod 21. Air, through a given orice or aperture, will of course ow more rapidly than combustible mixture, and accordingly the use of a flow-limiting means in the suction leakage path is indicated. vSuch a means may be conveniently pro- 1 vided, in the system as I have illustrated it, by the ke'y screw 31 ofwhich the end 31 forms an adjustable aperture with the bottom of slot 21".

While the operation of my invention, as thus far described, has been made apparent in the structural description, I may review its action as folthrough the auxiliary path'is'intercepted, and a preferably corresponding .air inflow through the v suction leakage path is established. As the motor speed reduces theintake suction reduces; and as the speed becomes quite low the attendant suction becomes insumcient to maintain the plunger I2 downwardly, so that the plunger moves upwardly, the valve rod 21 moves outwardly, and a -normal minimum iniiow o f combustible mixture is established. Preferably the spring I1 is adjusted to the weakest expanding force which will insure completion of upward plunger movement in time to prevent the motor from stalling. It may be noted that in an arrangement, such as illustrated, in which the upward plunger biasing means (spring I1) has a force which increases somewhatas the plunger moves downwardly tand vice versa), the plunger movements may not be altogether abrupt, but rather at least slightly gradual; preferably, however, the biasing means are so selected and arranged as to maintain reasonably small this change of their force.

In the operation of my invention as so described no movement of the stop member I6 has been specially contemplated, and a fixed minimum combustible mixture inow through the main path 2' (in the absence of accelerator or throttle manipulation) has been assumed. Additionally to cutting olf the mixture inilow through the auxiliary path, however, I may under similar conditions reduce or substantially eliminate mixture inow through the main path. This may be accomplished by effecting movement of the stop member I8 in accordance with plunger I2 movement. Accordingly the stop member I6 may be carried by the plunger I2, for example above collar 40, in secure relation to the plunger as to movement longitudinally thereof-screw I9 in crank 6 impinging on the top surface I6 of member .I6 to reduce the valve l opening as the plunger I2 is lowered. Preferably the parts are so apportioned that complete downward movement of the plunger will be at most but slightly more than enough fully to close the valve 4 from a normal minimum adjustment. To prevent possible jamming of the valve 4 in a closed position, and to aiford a means of maintaining it a trie open if desired even when the plunger I2 has moved downwardly, a second adjustable screw 20 may be provided in the crank system, (for example in crank 6') adapted to impinge 'against a xed stop device (for example a lug 20' formed on the extension 2). When such screw 2B impinges on such stop device, screw I9 is of course relieved of impingement against surface I6. When the main valve 4 minimum opening is reduced in response to plunger movement, as so described, the total reduction of mixture iniiow in response to plunger movement is of course greater than otherwise, and a correspondingly wider-open adjustment of the aperture between screw 31 and slot 21" is therefore necessary to maintain the desirable equalization, for different plunger positions, of the relationships of total fluid iniiow. to intake suction, above discussed (and now applicable on the basis that its minimum opening is assumed by valve I) Frequently a stop member for limiting the minimum opening of the main valve-such as stop member I S-is arranged to move in response and arrange the member IB, for circumferential Y movement. with respect to the plunger in response to motor temperature. I accordingly have illustrated a circumferential groove I2" in the plunger I2 and a screw I8 passing through the member I6 and engaging the groove I2" for movement therein. I further show a rod 9 which Will be understood to be responsive in its longitudinal position to the motortemperature. The end of this rod is connected with the head of screw I8 to move the stop member IB circumferentially in limited degree, thereby slightly readjusting the valve 4 in accordance with the motor temperature. It may be mentioned that with such an arrangement the normal minimum mixture inflow throughvalve 4,for purposes of determining a desirable adjustment of the screw 31, should be considered that obtaining atfull normal motor operating temperature.

It will of course be understood that control of combustible mixture flow according to my invention may if desired comprise simply thereduction of minimum openings of the valve l-the suction leakage path preferably still being opened in inverse accordance with the minimum valve Il openings, and the screw 31 adjusted to provide the desirable substantial equalization of uid inflow-suction relationships already discussed. In such a case the illustrated auxiliary mixture path will be omitted by omission of connection of upper hole portion 23" to the carburetor I prefer, however, to control the auxiliary mixture path, as in the manner illustrated and described, whenever such a path is provided.

It will be understood that the terms in accordance with and in inverse accordance with 4are employed herein in a qualitative sense, to denote respectively similar or opposite direction of two coincident variations or the like.

It may be noted that in particular cases it may be possible to employ, without danger of blocking of the system, a somewhat smaller aperture between screw 31 and slot 21 (or in any equivalent adjusting means for the suction leakage path) than actually equalizes the relationships of total fluid inflow to intake suction as above described; the extent to which this aperture reduction, or departure from substantial equalization, may be carried, when desired, must be determined by test in any particular case.

It will be understood that while I have described my invention as employed in a particular embodiment, I do not intend to be limited by the details of that embodiment, it being obvious that wide variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. In the appended claims I intend to claim my invention as broadly as the state of the art will permit.

I claim:

l. In combination in an internal combustion motor system including an intake manifold adapted to admit combustible mixture: closedly biased valve means having a normal minimum opening and openable therefrom at will to regulate said mixture inflow; and means, automatically responsive only to conditions including substantial motor speed and unresponsive at low motor speeds, for reducing saidl minimum valve means opening. y

2. In combination in an internal combustion motor system including an intake manifold adapted to admit combustible mixture: valve means of variable opening, biased toward closed condition, for regulating the inflow of said mixture; stop means for establishing a normal minimum opening` of said valve means; and means, automatically responsive only to conditions in.-

cluding substantial motor speed and unresponsive at low motor speeds, for moving said stop means to reduce said minimum valve means opening.

3. In combination in an internal combustion system including a motor and an intake manifold therefor: means providing a path for combustible mixture to said manifold; means operative at substantial motor speeds together with low mixture inflow through said path, for reducing said mixture inflow; and means, operative with said reducing means, for maintaining the relationship between total fluid inflow to and suction within said manifold substantially independent of the operation of said reducing means.

4. In combination in an internal combustion motor system including an intake manifold: means providing a path for combustible mixture thereto; means operative only at substantial motor speeds together with low mixture inflow through said path, for reducing said mixture inflow; and means for maintaining the relationship between total fluid inflow to and suction Within said manifold substantially independent of said reducing means, including means, connected and operative with said reducing means, for admitting into said manifold a non-combustible fluid.

5. In combination in an internal combustion system including a motor and an intake manifold adapted to admit combustible mixture thereto: valve means of variable opening. for regulating the inow of said mixture; means for establishing a variable minimum opening of said valve means; means for admitting into said manifold a non-combustible fluid; and means regulating said fluid admission in inverse accordance with said minimum valve means opening.

6. In combination in an internalv combustion motor system including an intake manifold adapted to admit combustible mixture; valve means of variable opening for regulating the inow of said mixture, said valve means having a normal minimum opening; means operative only at substantial motor speeds for reducing said minimum valve means opening; and means for maintaining the relationship between total fluid inflow to and suction within said manifold substantially independent, at minimum openings of said valve means; of said minimum opening reduction.

7. In combination in an internal combustion motor system including an intake manifold adapted to admit combustible mixture: valve means of variable opening for regulating the inow of saidmixture, said valve means having a normal minimum opening; means operative only at substantial motor speeds for reducing said minimum valve means opening; means providing a suction leakage path; and means, connected and operative with said reducing means, for connecting said leakage path with said manifold.

8. In combination in an internal combustion motor system including an intake manifold adapted to admit combustible mixture: valve means for regulating the inflow of said mixture,

said valve means being biased toward closed condition and having an opening regulable independently of suction within said manifold;

and means, differentially responsive to mutually different higher intake suctions within said manifold, for establishing a minimum opening of said valve means in inverse accordance with adapted `to 4admit combustible mixture: valve means of variable opening', biased toward closed condition, for regulating the inflow of said mixture; stop means for establishing a minimum opening of said valve means; and means, dif-- ferentially responsive` to mutually different higher intake suctions within said manifold, for moving said stop means to alter the minimum valve means'opening in inverse accordance with said suctions.

10. In combination in an internal combustionA motor system including an intake manifold adapted to admit combustible mixture: valve means of variable opening, biased toward closed condition, for regulating 4the inflow of saidmixture; stop means for establishing a normalminimum opening of said valve'means; and means, responsive to higher intake suctions within said, manifold and operative only at substantial motor speeds, for moving Lsaid'stop means to reduce said minimum valve means opening.

l1. In combination in an internal combustion motor system including an intake 'manifold adapted to admit combustible mixture: a movable motor speed control member; valve means' of variable opening. substantially unyieldingly said valve means in inverse accordance with said suctions; means providing a suction leakage path communicating with said manifold; and means for opening said path in inverse accordance withl said minimum valve means opening.y i 13. In combination in an internal combustion motor system including an intake manifold: means providing a main path for combustible mixture thereto, and a main valve of variable opening in said path; means providing anauxiliary path for combustible mixture in parallel with said main path, and auxiliary valve means in said auxiliary path; and means, differentially responsive to higher suctions within said manifold, for varying the minimum opening of said main valve in inverse accordance with said suctions and operating said auxiliary valve means. n l14. In combination in an internal combustion motor system including an intake manifold: means providing a main path for combustible mixture thereto,` and a main 'valve of variable opening in said path; means providing an auxiliary path forcombustible mixture. in parallel'with said main path, and auxiliary valve means in said auxiliary path; means providing -a suction leakage path communicating with said manifold, and leakage valve means therein'; and means, differentially responsive to higher suctions within said manifold, for varying the minimum opening of said main `valve and` operating said auxiliary and leakage valve means.

15. In combination in an` internal combustion motor system including an intake manifold and means providing a regulable main path for combustible mixture thereto: means providing an auxiliary path for combustible mixture; means providing a suction leakage path; a two-way valve selectively connected with said auxiliary path and said leakage path, and operable to connect either of the same with said manifold; and means, differentially responsive to higher suctions within said manifold, for operating said two-way valve.

16. In combination in an internal combustion motor system including an intake manifold adapt-'- ed to admit combustible mixture: a valve of variable opening for regulating an inflow of said mixture; meansA providing a normally open auxiliary path for combustible mixture by-passing said valve; `and means for reducing the minimum opening of said valve and means for closing said auxiliary path, said two last-mentioned means being interconnected for simultaneous operation.

17. In combination in an internal combustion motor system including an intake manifold adapted to admit combustible mixture: a main valve of variable opening for regulating an inflow of said mixture; means providing a normally open auxiliary path for combustible mixture by-passing said valve; means providing a normally closed suction leakage path communicating with said manifold; and means for reducing the minimum opening of said valve and means for closing said auxiliary path and means for opening said leakage path, said three last mentioned means being interconnected for simultaneous operation.

18. In combination in an internal combustion motor system including an intake manifold adapted to admit combustible mixture: a main valve of variable .opening for regulating an inflow of said mixture; means providing an auxiliary path for combustible mixture; means providing a suction leakage path; a two-way valve operable to connect said manifold selectively with said auxiliary path and said leakage path; and means for varying the minimum opening of said main valve and means for operating said two-way valve, said .two last mentioned means being interconnected for simultaneous operation.

19. In an internal combustion motor system inluding an intake manifold adapted to admit;50 iriow of said mixture; mean's biasing said valve combustible mixture:A a valve for regulating the to movement in one direction; and limiting means for said movement responsive to motor temperature-"conditions and intake suction conditions, comprising astop member, a support therefor,

'means responsive to one of said; conditionsfor moving said support, and means responsiveto the other of said conditions for moving said member with relation to said support.

20. In an internal combustion motor system` including 4an intake manifold adapted to admit combustible mixture: a valve for regulating the iniiowof said mixture; a plunger associated with said manifold for inward androutward movement relative thereto and responsive to suction therewithin; a member secured to said'plunger as to movement longitudinally thereof and provided With a cam surface; means responsive to motor temperature for moving said member circumferentially of said plunger; a crank system for said valve; and meansv biasing said crank system to impingement against said surface.

CHARLES T. JAcoBs. Y 

